CAMDEN COUNTY, Fla. -- The Camden County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration are issuing a warning to the public about criminals posing as DEA agents in part of an extortion scheme.
One such incident was reported in southeast Georgia when a woman said scammers tried to convince her to send them $1,500 or set up a payment plan. The victim was even given a phony case number.
In many of the other cases, the scammers call people and tell them they're DEA agents or some other type of law enforcement officer. They then tell the victims that by purchasing drugs over the internet, they're breaking the law and must pay a fine or face legal action.
If victims refuse to pay the "fine" the scammers threaten arrest or to search their property.
In one case, a victim sent over $29,000 in wire transfers.
The DEA wants to remind the public to use caution when buying controlled substances by telephone or through the internet. They also advise that a DEA agent will never contact people to demand money by phone.
If you receive a telephone call from someone who claims to be with the DEA and asks for money, refuse and call 1-877-792-2873 to file a report.
